Legal Careers
DOJ Attaché - Mexico City
The United States Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Office of International Affairs (OIA) is seeking an experienced attorney for the position of the Department of Justice Attaché, stationed at the United States Embassy in Mexico City. The Attaché is the representative of the Department of Justice and OIA in Mexico, and as such reports to the Chief of Mission. The Attaché is a member of the Ambassador's Country Team, supervises a Deputy Attaché and a variety of additional support staff members, and works as a member of OIA's Mexico and Central America team. The Department of Justice Attaché’s Office is responsible for managing extradition and mutual assistance requests between the United States and Mexico, acting as a liaison among, and providing case support to, OIA, U.S prosecutors (state and federal), and U.S. and foreign officials in Mexico, as well as supporting the Criminal Division and the Department in the formulation and execution of bilateral law enforcement and criminal justice programs and policies. The Attaché’s Office works in a fast-paced, high-volume, and challenging environment. Appointment to this position will be effected by a reimbursable detail. Applicants should obtain the approval of their management before applying for this detail.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
This position is limited to current Department of Justice employees and will be filled by a reimbursable detail assignment for two years with the possibility of a one year extension. It is expected to begin in the late spring of 2020. The successful candidate will be required to serve and successfully complete an initial, temporary detail at the Office of International Affairs in Washington, D.C. for approximately thirty (30) to sixty (60) days prior to receiving final clearance and reporting to the duty station in Mexico City. The detail is funded by the Criminal Division.
The responsibilities of the Attaché include, but are not limited to:
- Monitoring U.S.-Mexico extradition requests, requests for legal assistance (formal and informal) in criminal matters, and resolving problems regarding those requests;
- Working with the Office of the Mexican Attorney General and the Mexican Foreign Ministry on criminal investigations and prosecutions as well as serving generally as liaison to those offices to ensure that the law enforcement interests of the United States and the Department of Justice are understood and given adequate consideration by Mexican authorities;
- Developing expertise in the criminal laws and procedures of Mexico to assist U.S. authorities with questions on law enforcement matters and assisting Mexican authorities with questions regarding U.S. criminal laws and procedures, all with a view toward better cooperation and coordination through mutual understanding;
- Working with and advising all law enforcement agencies and appropriate Department of State (DOS), Department of Homeland Security, Department of the Treasury, Department of Defense, and other U.S. Government agencies stationed in Mexico on transnational criminal issues;
- Working closely with senior DOS and other U.S. Government agency officials on international criminal matters, with a particular view towards clearly articulating the interests of the Department of Justice and working toward effective integration of those interests with the policies and priorities of the Embassy, DOS, and other U.S. Government agencies; and
- Managing the Department of Justice's Mexico City Office, maintaining current and thorough case related records in Oracle, and supervising the Deputy Attaché and support staff at the U.S. Embassy.
Applicants must possess a J.D. degree; be duly licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a State, territory, or the District of Columbia; have at least five (5) years of post J.D. legal experience; be a current employee of the Department of Justice with extensive experience in the field of criminal law and the prosecution of criminal offenders; and have a background working with international requests for extradition and mutual legal assistance. Applicants must have professional proficiency in spoken and written Spanish.
Applicants must have, or be able to obtain through their Component/Agency, and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.
Applicants should also have:
- Significant experience dealing with complex legal and policy issues;
- Experience in developing and litigating federal criminal cases involving international extradition and mutual legal assistance;
- Working knowledge of federal and state judicial systems, prosecutions, and investigative and regulatory agencies;
- Experience in dealing with foreign governments, officials, and judicial systems;
- Ability to establish and maintain harmonious relations with state and federal law enforcement agencies, representatives of foreign governments and the public, and the ability to supervise attorneys and paralegal support staff;
- Ability to formulate, implement, and effectively advocate Department of Justice policies on all matters relating to the assigned areas;
- Experience in negotiating and implementing international agreements, including experience in working with diplomatic notes;
- Ability to manage an office, budget, and personnel while working in a fast-paced, high-volume work environment;
- Familiarity with national security issues; and
- Some understanding of Department of State practices and regulations.
All interested attorneys meeting these qualifications should send their resume, cover letter, brief writing sample (maximum 10 pages), and a copy of their last three performance evaluations to Attaché Position, Mexico City at OIA.Operations@usdoj.gov. Applicants applying for the detail appointment must obtain the concurrence of their supervisor, Section Chief, Office Director, or U.S. Attorney for a minimum two-year detail to the Office of International Affairs.
Under a detail assignment, there is no change to the selectee’s base pay. Regardless, the selectee will receive appropriate post salary differentials and allowances, where applicable.
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Department Policies
Equal Employment Opportunity: The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex - including gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status - or because of age (over 40), physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor. The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement.
Reasonable Accommodations: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.
Suitability and Citizenship: It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee’s Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years. The three-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement. This is a Department security requirement which is waived only for extreme circumstances and handled on a case-by-case basis.
Veterans: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that their retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).
USAO Residency Requirement: Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.
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